Finger grip mechanism



Oct. 10, 1933. R. L. WILCOX FINGER GRIP MECHANISM Filed Aug. 13, 1932' 2Sheets-Sheet 2 jigiz Patented @ct. 1Q, 1933 UNITED s'mras renter FINGERGRIP IWECHANISM Richard Lester Wilcox, Waterbury, Court, assignor toThe-Waterbury Farrel Foundry and Machine Company, Waterbury,

@onn, a corporation oi @onnecticut Application August 13, 1932. SerialNo. 628,63?

22 @laims.

This invention relates to a new and improved. finger grip mechanism,having means for applying an added grip pressure to an article therein,which in a broad sense will act also as a stripping device.

As shown herein the invention is associated with an upsetting machine orthe like that is equipped for the production of articles such as nuts,but its application is very much broader, as it may be used for articlesof various shapes other than nuts, such as bolts and screw blanks, andassociated with other types of mechanism, and

, function with equal facility.

It is the object of this invention, among other things, to provide sucha device with means whereby an added or supplemental pressure may beapplied through the fingers to an article gripped therebetween at apredetermined period of the cycle of operations of the transfermechanism and accomplish this object with mechanism of few parts thatmay be readily applied to machines of conventional form Withoutrebuilding the same.

To these, and other ends, the invention consists in the finger gripmechanism, having certain details of construction and combinations ofparts, as will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointedout in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals of reference designatelike parts in the several figures;

Figure 1 is a front view of the die portion of an upsetting machine andadjacent parts, looking toward the dies and transfer mechanism;

Figure 2 is a plan view; I

Figure 3 is a sectional view thereof, the parts in section being takengenerally upon line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the punch and associated diemechanism, with which this improved finger grip mechanism isparticularly associated.

. In the herein shown embodiment of the invention, which is only one ofits many forms; 10 indicates the body-or frame of a header, upsettingmachine or the like, within which is mounted a reciprocating gate 11,having associated therewith a plurality of punch holders 2'7, Withinwhich are secured the punches 12, 13 and 33.

Secured to the frame 10 in front of the backing block 16, and oppositethe gate 11, is a die block 15, in which are a plurality of dies 17, 18,19 and 20, shaped to produce the desired article by successiveoperations.

Mounted within the frame, and operating in a;

well known manner, is a cutter 21. Secured thereto and movable therewithare the transfer bars 22, upon each of which are the transfer fingers 23and 24, the engaging ends of which are moved toward each other bysuitable springs 25 and separated by cams '26 on the punch holders 27,which engage poppets 51 on the fingers.

The mechanism, other than the fingers 2 above described is now known inthe art and constitutes no part of this present invention.

In operation a length of wire is fed through the die 17, the projectingend thereof is out oh by the cutter, and carried thereby to the die 13.At this station the blank is projected into the die 18 by the punch 12and an upsetting or other; operation performed thereon.

The cutter 21 iswithdrawn to the position sub= stantially shown inFigure 1, ready for another cut-off operation. Bya suitable and wellknown knockout mechanism the blank is then ejected from the die whilethe gate 11 recedes therefrom. The blank is then grasped between thefirst set of fingers 23 and at the next cut-01f operationis carried overand into line with the die 19. The punch 13 projects the blank into thedie 19 and a required operation performed thereon, during which time thecutter and first set of fingers move to their former position, as shownin the drawings. After the-blank is ejected'from the die 19 by suitableknockout mechanism it is grasped by the next set of fingers 23 andtransferred into register with the die 20 for required operationsthereon. The cutter and fingers are again withdrawn ready for anothercut-off and transfer operation. At each cycle of operations there is apartially completed blank in each of the dies 18, 19 and20, so that ateach stroke of the gate 11 an operation is performed on each blank ateach station, substantially as outlined.

95 This invention relates particularly to the transfer fingers 24 andthe operation thereof.

The die 20 is mounted in a sleeve 28 in the die block 15 and movedrelatively therein in one,

direction by a spring 29. The outer end of the 100 knockout rod 14 isprovided with a projection 30 to form a depression in the blank 31 atthis station, a projection 32 being similarly formed on the outer end ofthe cc-operating punch 33.

Heretofore the knockout rod 14 had an opening 105 within which a pin, ofsubstantially the same cross sectional area as the projection 30, wasmovably mounted, which when drawn into the knockout rod, stripped theblank 31 therefrom.

In some cases a hole in the knockout rod weak- 110 ened it materiallyand thereby increased the possibility of its fracture. As considerablepressure is required to form the depression in the blank, the latter hada tendency to stick to the depression forming pin and thus requireconsiderable pull to dislodge it. In this invention the projection 30 isan integral part of the knockout rod 14, as is also the projection 32 onthe punch 33 and the transfer fingers are utilized as a strippingdevice. This is accomplished by applying sufiicient pressure upon theblank by the fingers 24 to hold the same rigid and permit the withdrawalof the projections 30 and 32 therefrom by mechanism hereinafterdescribed.

Journaled in the die block 15 is a rock shaft 34, having an arm 35thereon under thedie block and an arm 36 thereon above the die block.Threaded in each arm is a set screw 37, the inner end of which engagesthe tail 38 on the finger 24. Rotary motion is imparted to the rockshaft 34 through a rock arm 39, preferably integral with the arm 35, theouter end of which projects into a groove in the spool 40 on areciprocating shaft 41 journaled in a bracket 42 fixed to the frame 10.This shaft 41 projects through an opening in apressure plate 46 fixed onthe gate 11, and near its outer end carries suitable lock and jamb nuts43, between which and the pressure plate 46 is a coil spring 44 whichabuts at its ends against collars 45. As the gate 11 moves away from thedie block 15 the shaft 41 is moved lengthwise against the tension of thespring 44. This rocks the rock arm 39 and with it the shaft 34. Thetiming of these parts is such that the gate recedes and allows theknockout mechanism to eject the blanks from the several dies and cut offa new blank from the rod length; and this, as well as the incompletepredecessor blanks advanced by the transfer mechanism to the successivedies in the series before the punches are advanced by the'gate in itsnext forward movement.

As the knockout mechanism is actuated, additional pressure is applied tothe fingers 24 through the means above described, that is, the rockshaft 34, arms 35'and 36, and set screws 3'7. The extent of the pressureand the timing of the application thereof are determined in part byadjustment of. the screws 37.

In a fixed bracket 47 are the screws 48 and 49 that are on oppositesides of the tail 50 of the arm 36. The screw 48 is set so as to justclear the tail 50 to allow the full pressure of the grip by the fingers24, or to engage the same to partially limit such pressure. The screw 49forms a stop to limit the extent of rotation of the rock shaft 34 in onedirection, as does also the screw 48 in the opposite direction. Afterthe transfer fingers 24 begin their transfer movement, the tails 38thereonmove away from the screws 37 and thereafter such pressureas isapplied to the fingers is by the springs 25.

Obviously there may be variations and modifications in the details ofthe invention as disclosed in the particular embodiment herein, andtherefore desire it to be understood that the invention is not limitedto the herein disclosure butall that falls fairly within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new is:-

1. In mechanism of the character described; a plurality of sets ofco-operating tools, one tool in each set being movable toward and awayfrom another tool in the same set; a movable member; a plurality offingers on the movab e m mber and arranged to grasp an article whileasso ciated with said tools, said member and fingers being adapted totransfer an article from one of said sets of tools to another set oftools; means, the action of which is initiated through the partsassociated with a moving tool while in motion, for applying sufficientpressure to the article through the fingers to hold the article andstrip it from the tools.

2. In mechanism of the character described; a plurality of stationarytools; a reciprocating gate; a plurality of co-operating tools on thegate; means for successively transferring an article from a position inline with one of the stationary tools to a position in line with anotherstationary tool, comprising a movable member and a plurality of fingersassociated therewith; and 'means actuated by said gate for applyingpressure to some of said fingers and holding an article therebetweenwith sufficient force to strip the article from the tools.

3. In mechanism of the character described; a plurality of stationarytools; a reciprocating gate; a-plurality of co-operating tools on thegate; means for successively transferring an article from a position inline with one of the stationary tools to a position in line with anotherstationary tool, comprising a movable member, and a plurality of fingersassociated therewith; means actuated by said gate for applying pressureto some of said fingers and holding an article therebetween withsuflicient force to strip the article from the tools; and meansconnected with the movable member for holding the fingers under pressureduring the transfer movement thereof.

4. In mechanism of the character described;

a plurality of stationary tools; a reciprocating means actuated by saidgate for applying pressure to some of said fingersand holding an articletherebetween with sufficient force to strip the article from the tools,said means comprising in 'part a rock shaft, elements associated withthe rock shaft and engaged by the last mentioned fingers during themovement thereof, and

a reciprocating member in the path of movement of the gate for actuatingthe rock shaft.

5. In mechanism of the character described; a plurality of stationarytools; a reciprocating gate; a plurality of co-operating tools on thegate; means for successively transferring an article from a position inline with one of the stationary tools to a position in line with anotherstationary tool, comprising a movable member,

and a plurality of fingers associated therewith;

and means actuated by said gate for applying pressure to some of saidfingers and holding an article therebetween with sufiicient force tostrip the article from the tools, said means comprising in part a rockshaft, elements associated with the rock shaft in line with and for thelast mentioned fingers during the movement thereof, a reciprocatingmember in the path of movement of the gate for actuating the rock shaft,and a resilient element associated with the reciprocating member,through which the latter is actuated in one direction.

6. In mechanism of the character described; a plurality of stationarytools; a reciprocating acce ses gate; a plurality of co-operating toolson the gate; means for successively transferring an article from aposition in l ne one oi the stationary tools to a position in linewith'an other stationary tool, comprising a movable mem-= her, and aplurality of fingers associated there with; and means actuated by saidgate for applying pressure to some of said fingers and hold ing anarticle therebetween with sufiicient force to strip the article from thetools, said means comprising in part a root; shaft, elements associatedwith the rock shaft and engaged by the last mentioned fingers during themovement thereof, a reciprocating member in the path of movement of thegate for actuating the reels. shaft, and adjustable member connectedwith each of said elements to vary the relative position of theapplication of pressure to the said last mentioned fingers.

7. in mechanism of the character described; a plurality of stationarytools; a reciprocating gate; a plurality of Leo-operating tools on thegate; means for successively transferring an artiele from a position inline with one oi the stationary tools to a position in line with anotherstationary tool, comprising a movable memher, and a plurality of fingersassociated there with; and means actuated by said gate for applyingpressure to some oi said fingers and holding an articletherebetween-with sufficient force to strip the article from the tools,said means comprising in part a reel: shaft, elements associated withthe rock shaft andengaged by the last mentioned fingers during themovement thereof, a reciprocating member in the path of movement of thegate ,for actuating the rock shaft, and means for limiting the extent ofmovement of the mole shaft.

8. In mechanism of the character described; aplurality of sets ofco-operating tools; a reciprocating gate; means for successivelytransferring an article from one set of said tools to another set ofsaid tools comprising a movable memher and a plurality of fingersarranged to grasp the article therebetween; means, in part connectedwith and movable with the fingers and in part independent thereof, forapplying pressures to said fingers whereby the article is held betweenthe fingers under a pressure different at one portion of the cycle ofoperations than at other portions thereof.

9. In mechanism of the character described; 1

a plurality of sets of co-operating tools; a. reciprocating gate; meansfor successively transferring an article from one set of said tools toanother set of said tools, comprising a. movable member and a pluralityof fingers arranged to grasp the article therebetween; means, in partconnected with and movable with the fingers and in part independentthereof, for applying Pressures to said fingers whereby the article isheld between the fingers under a pressure different at one portion ofthe cycle of operations than at other portions thereof, the timing ofthe application of said pressures being variable.

1?. In mechanism of the character described; a. plurality of sets ofco-operating tools; a reciprocating gate; means for successivelytransferrlng an article from one set of said tools to another set ofsaid tools, comprising a. movable member and a plurality of fingersarranged to grasp the article therebetween; means, in part connectedwith and movable with the fingers and in part independent thereof, forapplying pressures to said fingers whereby the article is held betweenthe fingers under a pressure difierent at one portion of the cycle ofoperations than at other portions thereof, said movable member be ing ina rest position during a portion of the cy= ole of operations thereof,and one of said pres= sures being applied to the fingers while'the movable member is in such rest position.

ll. In mechanism of the character described;

a plurality of sets of bo -operating tools; a re= ciprocating gate;means for successively trans= i'erring an article from one set of saidtools to an other set of said tools, comprising a movable member and aplurality of fingers arranged to grasp the article therebetween; means,in part con nected with and movable with the fingers and in partindependent thereof, for applying pressures to said fingers whereby thearticle is held between the fingers under a pressure different at onepor= tion of the cycle of operations than at other por= tions thereof,said movable member being in a rest position during a portion of thecycle of opera tions thereof, one of said pressures being applied whilethe movable member is in such rest posi= tion and another of saidpressures during the transfer movement of said movable member.

12. In mechanism or the character described, wherein an article issubjected to plural tool op= erations and transferred to and from thetools; a movable member; a plurality of fingers on the movable memberthat grasp the article while associated with said tools, and thereaftercarry it away therefrom during the transfer movement of the movablemember; means for applying pressure to the article through said fingerswith sumcient force to hold the article and strip the same from saidtools; and other means for applying pressure to said article throughsaid fingers with sufilcient force to hold the article between the fin=gers while moving away from said tools.

13. In mechanism of the character described, wherein an article issubjected to plural tool operations and transferred to and from thetools; a movable member; a plurality of fingerson the movable memberthat grasp the article while as sociated with said tools, and thereaftercarry it away therefrom during the transfer movement of the movablemember; means for applying pressure to the article through said fingerswith suflicient force to hold the article and strip the same from saidtools; and means for applying pressure to said article through saidfingers with sumcient force to hold the article between the fingerswhile moving away from said tools, the last will Hill

mentioned pressure being less than the first mentioned pressure.

14. In mechanism of the character described; a plurality of sets ofco-operating tools; a recip rocating gate; means for successivelytransferring an article from one set of said tools to another set ofsaid tools, comprising a movable member and a plurality-of fingersarranged to grasp the article therebetween; means associated with themovable member for imparting movement to the fingers thereon; and othermeans independent of the movable member for imparting movement to thefingers.

15. In mechanism of the character described; a plurality of sets ofco-operating tools; a reciprocating gate; means forsuccesslvelytransferrlng an article from one set of said tools toanother set of said tools, comprising a movable member and a pluralityof fingers arranged to grasp the article therebetween; means associatedwith the movable member for imparting movement to the fingers thereon;and other means independent of the movable member for imparting movementto the fingers, the timing of this latter movement being variable.

16. In mechanism of the character described; a pair of operating tools;a reciprocating gate, one of said pairs of operating tools being movablewith the gate; means for stripping an article from said tools after ithas\been operated on therebyand moving it away therefrom, comprising inpart a movable member, a plurality of fingers associated with themovable member, and plural means for imparting independent movements tosaid fingers on said movable member, one of said plural means beingderived from the movement of the gate and transmitted through aconnection to a rock shaft, having members thereon corresponding innumber with the number of said fingers, and projecting into the path ofmovement of said fingers.

17. In mechanism of the character described; a pair of operating toolsthat move toward and -away from each other; a reciprocating gate;

means for holding an article after it has been operated on by said toolsand while the latter are moving away therefrom and thereafter moving thearticle away from said tools, said means comprising in part a movablemember, a plurality of fingers associated with the movable member, meansfor imparting independent movement to the fingers whereby said articlewill be grasped with sufficient force to hold the same rigid while thetools are being moved away therefrom, said means being in part actuatedby the reciprocating gate and comprising in part a rock shaft, membersthereon corresponding in number with the number of said fingers andprojecting into the path of movement of said fingers, and a connectionbetween the gate and rock shaft that permits overmovement of the gate.

18. In mechanism of the character described; a pair of operating tools;a reciprocating gate, one of said pairs of operating tools being movablewith the gate; means for stripping an article from said tools after ithas been operated on thereby and moving it away therefrom, comprising inpart a movable member, a plurality of fingers associated with themovable member, and means for imparting independent movement to thefingers on the movable member, comprising in part a rock shaft, memberson the rock shaft that project intothe path of movement of the fingers,a reciprocating shaft, having an operable connection with said rockshaft, and a connection between the reciprocating shaft and the gate,whereby the rock shaft may be actuated by the movement of the gate.

19. In mechanism of the character described; a pair of operating tools;a reciprocating gate, one of said pairs of operating tools being movablewith the gate; means for stripping an article from said tools after ithas been operated on thereby and moving it away therefrom, comprising inpart a movable member, a plurality of fingers associated with themovable member, and means for imparting independent movement to thefingers on the movable member, comprising in part a rock shaft, memberson the rock shaft that project into the path of movement of the fingers,a reciprocating shaft, having an operable connection with said rockshaft, .a connection between the reciprocating shaft and the gate,whereby the rock shaft may be actuated by the movement of the gate, andadjustable stop means for limiting the movement of the rock shaft.

20. In mechanism of the character described; a pair of operating tools;a reciprocating gate, one of said pairs of operating tools being movablewith the gate; means for stripping an article from said tools after ithas been operated on thereby and moving it away therefrom, comprising inpart a movable member, aplurality of fingers associated with the movablemember, and means for imparting independent movement to the fingers onthe movable member, comprising in part a rock shaft, members on the rockshaft that project onto the path of movement of the fingers, adjustableparts on said members whereby to vary the timing of the movement of thefingers, a reciprocating shaft, having an operable connection with saidrock shaft, a connection between the reciprocating shaft and the gate,whereby the rock shaft may be actuated by the movement of the gate.

21. In mechanism of the character described; a pair of operating tools;a reciprocating gate, one of said pairs of operating tools being movablewith the gate; means for stripping an article from said tools afterithas been operated on thereby and moving it away therefrom, comprising inpart a movable member, a plurality of fingers associated with themovable member, and means for imparting independent movement to thefingers on the movable member, comprising in part a rock shaft, memberson the rock shaft that project into the path of movement of the fingers,a reciprocating shaft, having an operable connection with said rockshaft, a connection between the reciprocating shaft and the gate,whereby the rock shaft may be actuated by the movement of the gate, anda spring between the reciprocating shaft and the gate which will permitovermovement of the gate without actuating the rock shaft.

22. In mechanism of the character described; a pair of operating tools;a reciprocating gate, one of said pairs of operating tools being mov-'able with the gate; means for stripping an article from said tools afterit has been operated on thereby and moving it away therefrom, comprisingin part a movable member, a plurality of fingers associated with themovable member, and means for imparting independent movement to thefingers on the movable member, comprising in part a rock shaft upon thatside of the fingers opposite to that of the gate, members on the rockshaft that project into the path of movement of the fingers, areciprocating shaft, having an operable connection with said rock shaft,and a connection between the reciprocating shaft and the gate, wherebythe rock shaft may be actuated by the movement of the gate.

- RICHARD LESTER *WILCOX.

